Albay gives P1M aid to Sendong hit provinces Cagayan de Oro and Iligan

LEGAZPI CITY–Albay province on Monday donated P1 million in aid to the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in Misamis Oriental province in Northern Mindanao, said Albay Governor Joey Salceda.

He said the cash assistance was sourced from the province’s calamity fund with P500,000 to be given to each of the two cities, the areas hardest hit by tropical storm Sendong on Friday.

Salceda said the financial aid is an expression of gratitude of Albay to the local government units and the national government for the assistance they gave to Albay when it was hit by past disasters.

He said the assistance was decided as a better option in lieu of a “Wash Mercy Mission” (water, sanitation and health) and considering the local circumstances, specifically the distance of the province to the Mindanao area.

A team from the provincial legislative board, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will leave for the two cities on Tuesday to also consult with local officials and communities affected on how Albay could further help in the early recovery and rehabilitation period.

Salceda in a text message said “more than the amount which is modest, the Albay Sendong Aid Mission brings with them the spirit of solidarity and sense of kinship between our peoples,” a form of support which he said is “so critical to help them overcome the distressing period.”

Meanwhile, the Ako Bicol (AKB) Party list will also donate P250,000 to the victims of Sendong in Cagayan de Oro. AKB Representatives Rodel Batocabe and Christopher Co will personally go to Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday to personally deliver the financial aid.